Raymond Lee Ellis, 85 died Saturday, February 14, 2015 at the Lakepoint Nursing Home in Wichita, Kansas. He was born December 26, 1929 in Lane County, Kansas the son of Raymond Francis & Stella (Crofton) Ellis.
Raymond attended a Finney County one-room school until his 8th grade graduation. He then attended and graduated from Garden City High School in May of 1947. He served in the United States Army from May 1951 to February 1953 during the Korean War. While serving his country, Raymond was stationed in Korea and Japan. After the service, Raymond attended and graduated from Kansas State University with a BA degree in Agriculture Education in 1960. He then moved his family to his farm in Northeast Finney County where he worked as a life long farmer. He later moved to Garden City in 1980.
Raymond was a Charter Member and a continued member for 29 years of the Garden City Sunriser’s Kiwanis, has been a member of the American Legion since 1977, a member of the Finney County RSVP, and the Finney County Senior Center. He was involved with 4-H for many years, he enjoyed genealogy, and he loved his family and spending time with his grandchildren.
On June 14, 1953, he married Twila M. Walter in Dighton, Kansas. She survives. Other survivors include three sons Craig & wife Barb Ellis of Wichita, Doug & wife Sandi Ellis of Ingalls, Ks., and JD & wife Lori Ellis of Topeka, Ks.; a daughter Nancy & husband Eric Dahlinger of Wichita, Ks.; a brother Robert Ellis of Garden City; three sisters Maybelle Bowen of Garden City, Ks., Jane O’Brien of Ness City, Ks., and Rosie Palkowitsh of Burlington, Co.; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren. Raymond is preceded in death by his parents; a brother Ron Ellis; a sister Josephine Coerber; and a granddaughter Kimbra Hahn.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City with Rev. Brian Faust officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the Kansas Army Reserve National Guard and the Garden City area Veterans Honor Guard. The family will be at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday to visit with friends. The family requests memorials given to the Garden City Sunriser’s Kiwanis Flag Program or to Gentiva Hospice of Wichita, both in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City.